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INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I <br />1. NTRODUGTION <br />1.1 PLANNING AREA <br />1 _ <br />View of Kona from the Outrigger Keauhou Hotel. <br />The Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) encompasses the judicial districts of North and South <br />Kona, hereafter referred to as Kona (see Figure 1 Planning Area). The 800 square miles of land area, <br />which comprises the North and South Kona districts, accounts for approximately 20% of the total land <br />area of the Island of Hawaii. <br />Located on the leeward side of the Island of Hawaii, Kona has an ideal climate. It has attracted an <br />influx of new residents and experienced tremendous growth. The population has more than doubled <br />during the past 25 years, driven by resort development and the second -home residential market. As a <br />result of this rapid growth rate, we must plan better to deal with traffic congestion, affordable housing, <br />and open space. Residents taking part in the planning process repeatedly voiced these needs. Kona <br />is the first community development plan to commence under the framework of the February 2005 <br />County of Hawaii General Plan. <br />1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN <br />The purposes of the Kona CDP are: <br />■ Articulate Kona's residents' vision for the planning area; <br />■ Guide regional development in accordance with that vision, accommodating future growth <br />while preserving valued assets; <br />■ Provide a feasible infrastructure financing plan to improve existing deficiencies and proactively <br />support the needs of future growth; <br />■ Direct growth to appropriate areas; <br />■ Create a plan of action where government and the people work in partnership to improve the <br />quality of life in Kona for those who live, work, and visit; <br />■ Provide a framework for monitoring the progress and effectiveness of the plan and to make <br />changes and update it, if necessary. <br />KONA CDP 1-1 <br />